Elena Rybakina solidified her claim to the top of the women's tennis hierarchy by defeating two‑time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final that earned her first US Open title and cemented her ascent to world number one. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh displayed poise and power on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, edging the top‑seed and defending champion 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2. With the victory, Rybakina not only added a coveted Grand Slam trophy to her résumé but also guaranteed she would replace Sabalenka at the summit of the WTA rankings the following week.
Sabalenka entered the match with the prospect of becoming only the third woman in the Open Era to achieve a New York "three‑peat," joining legends Chris Evert and Serena Williams. Instead, the Belarusian left the court in a fit of frustration, smashing her racket into pieces as Rybakina celebrated her third major triumph. An ankle injury that had loomed over Rybakina’s campaign from the tournament’s outset proved to be a mere footnote; she brushed aside the concerns and completed a remarkable season that already included an Australian Open victory and a Wimbledon title in 2022. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, a visibly elated Rybakina reflected on the adversity she had faced: "Some magic is happening.
I was so unlucky with the injury before the start of the tournament. I was going day by day and my team were quite positive. Even in the beginning we didn't know how it was going to be, so I'm super happy and very proud. I still can't believe it." She added that reaching the No.
1 ranking was a relief, but she remained focused on the final itself, noting, "I was relieved to get to No 1 but I knew there were two more matches to push and it would be such a milestone winning the tournament here, so I was focused and trying not to see too many messages. Everything was working today." The final itself was a showcase of top‑level tennis, with both athletes bringing their best to a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Rybakina, dressed in a striking yellow‑and‑black ensemble that evoked a bee, unleashed a series of sharp groundstrokes that stung Sabalenka’s rhythm. The Belarusian, however, countered with powerful serves that kept her in the contest, marking the third Grand Slam final meeting between the two. Sabalenka struck first, breaking Rybakina’s serve to lead 3‑2 after a double fault from the Kazakh. A moment later, Sabalenka received a code violation for launching a ball high into the stands, an early sign of her mounting frustration.
While Sabalenka’s irritation grew with each missed opportunity, Rybakina maintained a calm composure, tightening her grip on the opening set and eventually sealing it. The second set saw a dip in Rybakina’s intensity, allowing Sabalenka to claw back into contention. The Belarusian produced a spectacular drop shot and a backhand cross‑court winner, pushing the match to a decisive third set. Sabalenka roared after a backhand winner to claim a tight opening game of the final set, but Rybakina’s quality soon reasserted itself.
With a red‑and‑blue framed racket, she surged ahead to a commanding 5‑2 lead, ultimately closing out the match and denying Sabalenka any major silverware for the 2026 season. In the post‑match press conference, Sabalenka admitted the emotional toll of the defeat: "The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech, but I'll try my very best. Thank you everyone. Thank you for all your support.
I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, an incredible result. Well deserved. Enjoy it tonight, and have fun.
I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess there's next year." She also explained why she smashed a racket and hurled a ball into the crowd, saying, "It's really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of a Grand Slam and you were trying to go for a three‑peat. I just wanted to let it go, because if I held it inside, I wouldn't be able to speak or I'd act poorly. I needed to release that aggression and disappointment." Former champions offered their perspectives on the match.
Martina Navratilova observed, "We do not see that. Usually it's Sabalenka doing the bullying. I think that's why Sabalenka didn't know what to do. She's used to dictating, putting people on the defence, rushing shots.
Instead, it was all Rybakina doing that to her, and I did not expect that. It's not that Sabalenka lost the match, Rybakina won it.
She earned that win. It will be back to the drawing board for Sabalenka.
What will she do next time if Rybakina is playing this well?" Marion Bartoli highlighted the magnitude of Rybakina’s achievement: "Can you imagine that her previous best result here was the fourth round? That's extraordinary, to come here with all the pressure of the world, knowing she had the No 1 ranking on her racket, and actually go on and win the title. The way she bounced back at the beginning of the third set tonight was absolutely extraordinary.
It looked like she completely forgot what happened at the back end of that second set, when she got caught on her own service game. She just kept moving forward, attacking Sabalenka's serve all the time, putting her under pressure. The ball‑striking from that young lady is just something else.
She can do anything on the court. She's only missing Roland Garros now to complete a career Grand Slam." Laura Robson added, "We were excited about this final for good reason, because of how well we know both of these players perform on big occasions. For Rybakina, without even crowd support on her side, she just did not flinch. Yes, you could maybe point to the double faults at the end, but under so much pressure, and Sabalenka trying everything to make a comeback in that third set, she just kept going for her shots.
It is just unbelievable how hard both of these players hit the ball. Their timing is phenomenal.
The difference today was the backhand from Rybakina, which was lights out from start to finish." Rybakina’s triumph marks her third Grand Slam title of the season, having already claimed the Australian Open earlier in the year and Wimbledon in 2022. With victories at three of the four majors, the only tournament that eludes her is the French Open, leaving her one win away from a career Grand Slam. Her head‑to‑head record against Sabalenka now includes two Grand Slam final wins in 2026, underscoring a budding rivalry that promises more compelling encounters in the years ahead.
The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage extending through August 30 and beyond. Fans can also stream matches via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, ensuring that the excitement of New York’s final Grand Slam of the year remains accessible worldwide.